The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Richard Marles, will travel to Hawaii to meet with his ministerial counterparts from the United States, Japan and the Philippines.
Whilst in Honolulu, the Deputy Prime Minister will participate in a bilateral meeting with United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, and a bilateral meeting with Japanese Minister of Defense, Kihara Minoru.
The three counterparts will also hold the 13th Australia-Japan-US Trilateral Defence Ministers’ Meeting to discuss deepening cooperation, particularly in the Indo-Pacific.
The Deputy Prime Minister will then participate in a joint multilateral dialogue with the Philippines Secretary for National Defense, Gilberto Teodoro Jr, and his United States and Japanese counterparts.
Australia, Japan, the Philippines and the United States have a long history of engagement across the Indo-Pacific in support of the rules-based international order. This was reflected in the inaugural Maritime Cooperative Activity, held on 7 April 2024.
The Deputy Prime Minister will also welcome the incoming US Indo-Pacific Commander, Admiral Samuel Paparo at the official Change of Command ceremony.
Quotes attributable to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, the Hon Richard Marles MP:
“My visit to Hawaii underpins the Albanese Government’s commitment to investing in our partnerships in support of a peaceful, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific, where the international rules-based order is upheld.
“The United States, Japan and the Philippines are indispensable partners and I look forward to meeting with my counterparts in Honolulu.”
”I look forward to witnessing the US Indo-Pacific Change of Command and thank Admiral Aquilino for his work in further strengthening the Australia-United States Alliance. I congratulate Admiral Paparo on his appointment, and look forward to working with him in the future.
